Meet the Hijras

VANITA (PALAK) MASI

“Every time I walked out into the gully people would point and call me gay and bisexual. They didn’t understand.” – Palak masi

Meet Palak masi who discovered she was a female trapped in a male’s body at a very young age. She was bullied at school, as she only liked sitting with the girls in class and wearing female clothes. Dance made her come out of her shell. By dressing in female attire in Saris, she performed dances and enjoyed every minute of it.

Her family had it tough, as the surrounding community didn’t understand Palak’s gender identity and thus blamed her parents for lack of guidance. Despite being cut off from the society, Palak’s mother decided to choose Palak’s happiness and support her throughout.

Hear Palak’s full story of struggles, how she met her Guru, the history of Hijras, British colonisation and meet her great Guru’s by watching the full film, Transindia, which can be purchased via here.

SANIA MASI

“On the inside I always had feelings of a women” – Sania masi

Meet Sania masi who has been a Hijra for 12 years. She first discovered she was in the wrong body when she was young. Her mother used to discourage her and question why she was interested in looking like a female. However, after waving incense sticks around the house, asking her neighbours and getting her palms read, her mother came to terms that her son was discovering who he truly was.

Sania struggled at first to find a place in society. Through plight, struggle and sex work, she made ends meat. After joining the Hijra community she felt a sense of belonging with her fellow disciples. Yet still hasn’t found the happiness she seeks.

Hear Sania’s full story of struggles, how she met her Guru, her new job and life by watching the full film, Transindia, which can be purchased via here.